In 1917, Cambrai was the
scene of the worlds first tank battle. The British massed 476 tanks and smashed the
impregnable Hindenburg line. The choice of Cambrai was no mistake, it was chosen
for its open expanse of flat farm lands. Almost 27 years to the day, U.S. Gen.
Courtney Hodge's First Army launched their monstrous armored assault on the
German defenders of the city and the Escaut Canal. Over 200 tanks of the U.S. XIX
Corps advanced across the open fields toward German positions. The 9th SS
Panzer Division had no tanks left; it was a Panzer Division in name only. It did, however,
have a number of the dreaded 88mm PaK 43 AT guns. Outnumbered 11 to 1,
the SS gunners had their work cut out for them.

Attacker: American (Elements of US 1st Army, XIX Corps)

Defender: German (SS) (Elements of 9th SS Panzer Division and German regulars)